Though surely to avoid attachments for fear of loss is to avoid life -Lionel Shriver

On way to start exploring barriers is to look at your attachment style. In a nutshell attachment style is how you relate to another person. We develop our first experience of attachment with our primary caregiver(s). There are thought to be four main attachment styles that develop in early childhood which tend to impact how we attach to others as adults. However these early styles of attachment and their resulting adult attachment styles are on a continuum and we are likely to move between styles depending on the situation.

Secure Attachment:

primary caregiver(s) are sensitive and responsive to their infant

primary caregiver(s) are consistent

child is able to regard the primary caregiver(s) as a secure base from which he or she can begin to explore the world

child tends to be secure being attached to others while maintaining their autonomy

Impact on Adult Attachment: Able to create meaningful relationships; empathetic; able to set appropriate boundaries.

Avoidant Attachment:

primary caregiver(s) are emotionally unavailable and not able to be sensitive and responsive to their infant

primary caregiver(s) encourage independence and discourage crying

primary caregiver(s) have difficulty responding to their child’s distress

children learn to be self-contained and not depend on others to have their needs met

Impact on Adult Attachment: Avoids closeness or emotional connection; tend to be cerebral and suppress their feelings; may be distant, critical, rigid, and intolerant; distance themselves from stress and conflict.

Ambivalent/Anxious Attachment:

primary caregiver(s) are unpredictable and inconsistently attuned to their children – sometimes responding in a nurturing manner, sometimes in an intrusive and insensitive way

primary caregiver(s) have difficulty responding to their child’s distress

children tend to be insecure, confused and distrustful and at the same time can be clingy and anxious

Impact on Adult Attachment: Anxious and insecure; may be controlling, blaming, erratic or unpredictable.

Disorganized Attachment:

child experiences trauma and/or abuse with primary caregiver(s)

the primary caregiver is the source of terror and pain, but also the person the child flees to for safety

children tend to disassociate from themselves

Impact on Adult Attachment: Do not have a clear sense of self or a clear understanding of how to successfully connect with others; may be chaotic, insensitive, explosive and untrusting even while craving security.

Interested in learning more about how your attachment style? Try this quiz and feel free to post your thoughts.